Press



R.D. WEBB..

PRESS.

Y I APPLICATION FILED JAN. I9! 1918- 1,370,570. v Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

liz 172- Chtozmu, J,

B. D. WEBB.

PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I9, Ima.

Patented Mar. 8,' 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@wu-Mm.-

R. D. WEBB.

PRESS.. APPLICATION FILI-:D IAN. I9. 19I8.

1,370,570, Patented'Mar. 8, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT D. VEBB, OAF MINDEN, LOUISIANA.

PRESS.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT D. NEBB, a citizenof the United States, and residing at Minden, Webster county, State oi'Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Presses,of which the ollowing is a speciiication.

This application which is in part a di` vision oi' my application Number58,390, tiled October 28, 1915, patented February 26, 1918, No.1,257,558, and also in part a division of my application Number 75,416,filed January 251, 1916, patented February 2G, 1918, No. 1,257,559,relates to presses, and more particularly to devices oi this type iorcompressing bales of cotton or other material.

in cotton districts it has been the practice to have compressing plantslocated at central points which takeA the bales as they are formed onthe plantations or at the gins and compress them to smaller size so thatthey take up less space on board cars and ships and at the Warehouses,docks, etc. .The methods of compressing the bales, which have beenemployed heretofore were objectionable on account ot the extremepressure used on the final compression or' they bale being applied Whilethe sides are confined between the side pressure plates thereby pressingthe bagging or covering. into the edges or layers of cotton so .that itis dithcult to remove the same and also leaving the central 'portions ofthe sides of the bale exposed and also causing the edges of the layersof cotton that come in contact with the side plates to rub against thesame and to be compressed so tightly that these edges are rendered verysmooth, in many instances so smooth and hard that it is possible toWrite upon them. It has also been the practice to press the bales infrom the ends at the same time that they are being pressed in from thesides practically at right angles to the end 1aressures, and thisresults in making what is called crosspaclnng and causes a largerproportion ot the cotton of the bale t be accumulated at or near theends of the bale so that the ends have a much higher density than theother portions of the bale. One of the reasons Why there is a seriousobjection to having the cotton compressed at the ends of the bale isthatthe ends arethe parts that are most ireuently damaged, orare in damagingcondition when compressed. However, it 1s fre- Speccation of LettersPatent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application tiled January 19, 1918. Serial No. 212,676. v

and more uniform bale than would other Wisev be obtained and it will beseen that according to the present invention the pressing of the ends ofthe bales is accomp shed progressively while the sides of the bale arebeing progressively pressed in. from its edges toward its center, thuscausing .the cotton to flow freely from the end or' the bale toward thecenter, eliminating the deects Which have heretoforel obtained whenpressing the ends of the bale. l

The principal objectsof this invention are to provide a simple anddependable press with which Ythe methods described and claimed in mysaid applicationsy may be practised, and the objections and defectsabove mentioned overcome.

The features of the invention will be apparent from the description.taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention, thefoundation and main cylinder being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a similar elevation of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan vi'eWtalren substantially on the line 3-3 ofFig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View similarl to Fig. 3 with the end pressersomitted; i Y

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively end and side elevations of a bale beforebeing compressed;

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively end and side elevations after the balehas been reformed by the side and end presserplate;

Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively end and side elevations of the balevafter'it has been partially compressed in a vdirection at right ann gles tothe first pressures;

Figs. 10 and 11 are. respectively end vand side elevations of the baleafter it has been further compressed in the last mentioned direction;and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing an intermediate position of theend and side pressers.

Referring to the dra Tings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, 10indicates any'suitable foundation which supports the main pressurecylinder 11 and the compress, said cylindex' having the four verticaltie rods 12. At their upper ends these rods extend through an upperplaten or head 16, upward movementof the latter being prevented by thenuts 17. Fitted Within the cylinder 11 is Ya plunger 26 which at itsupper end carries and is secured to a lower platen 25. Side doors ordisplacing plates 34, 35, 36 and 37 arepivotedlvon the rods 12 forswingingv movement from the full line position to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 3, to progressively press the bale laterally. Thedoors 34 and 3T are'actuated by a `piston 38 Yin the cylinder 39, thepiston being con- Yrod and links 415 and 42.

nected with 'the doors bymeans of a piston `The doors 35 and 36 aresimilarly actuated by a piston 43 yin the'cylinder 44, the piston beingconnected Y with the doors by the piston rod and the links `46 and 47.vlith the parts described the bale may be pressed in the direction ofitstop and bottom and upon two sides prolthus -actuated by thev piston38 simultagressivelyfromits edges toward the middle. Ifitris alsodesired Ato. press the ends of the bale, then aplate 48fis connectedwith the rod 40 by means of a suitable'rod 49 and is neously with thedoors 34 and' 37 to press one end ofthe bale. L similar plate 50'isconnectedwith'the rod 45 by a Suitable rod 51 and is actuated by thepiston 43 simultaneously with the` doors 35 and 3G to press the oppositeend'ofthe bale. These end pressers 'are therefore applied progressivelywhile the side doors are progressively pressing in the sides of thebale. The cylinder.

39 may be supported in any suitable manner. As Vshown it is carried fromthe platen 1G and the cylinder 11 by means of the rods 52 and 53. In alike manner the cylinder 44 is supported bythe rods 54 and 55.

In the'operation of the Vpress a. bale is placed on the platen 25p.Fluidnnder pressure is then admitted to the cylinders 39-and 44 throughthe ports 56 and 57 respectively. The pistons 38 and 43 are thus vforcedtoward each other and operate the pivotedV doors and the plates 48 and50 to press the i 25 to rise thereby pressing the `bottom of the bale,this compression taking place while the side and end pressers aremaintained against the bale.

The upward movement of the platen 25 continues until it reaches aposition indicated at 25a. Theppressure of the fluid supplied to thecylinder 11 through the pipe 58 is such as to force the platenapproximately only to the said dottedrposi- ,.tion. However, in order to`further control the degree4 of compression in' this direction' hecylinders 39 and V44 areprovided'wlth filed Jan. 31,1916.

safety valves 59 and 60 respectively which are set to release the.pressure in the cylinders 39 and 44 when the bale has been coinpressedto the desired degree in the direction of its top and bottom. Then thiscompression has been reached, the safety valves 59 and 60 will vopenthereby relieving the bale 'from the pressureA on its sides and ends.The fluid supplied through the pipe 58 is then cut olii' by the valve61and liuid under a greater pressure admitted to the cylinder 11 from thepipe 62. This causes the platen to be moved vupward thereby furthercompressing the bale until the platen reaches its linal positionindicated at 25D. The pistons 38 and 43 may be retracted by iiuidadmitted to the cylinders through ports 56 and 5i" respectively. Thus itwill be seen that the bale may be pressed in on its ends and sides,

the pressure on the sides being applied progressively from the edgestoward the middle, and while these pressures are maintained the bale maybe compressed in the direction of its top and bottoni to a certain degree whereupon the end and side pressures may be automatically relievedand then the bale further compressed inthe direction of the lastpressure, thus yavoiding the objectionableffeature mentioned in thesecond Y. paragraph of this specification.

In some cases it isnot desired to use the end pressers Vand they may beomitted as illustrated in F ig. 3*. Y

The press illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3 is that shown in my ariorapplication 75,416, xeferring to these figures 100 indicates anyVsuitable foundation which supports the pressure cylinder 111 and therods 112. These rods carry at their upper endsa housing 116 containingthe cylinders 1-17 and 1.18 in which Iare arranged the plungers 119 and'120 respectively. A platen 121 is rigidly connectedY with and actuatedby plungers 119 and 120 A cylinder 122 isralso arranged on the housing116 and contains a pistonV 123 which is connected with the platen A121by a rod 124, for the purpose of returning the platen after thecompletion oi the compression movement. A lower platen 125 is suitablyguided and actuated by a piston 126m the cylinder111 Vthe piston havinga rodp127 which is connected with pairs of toggle links 128 and 129 bythe links 130 and 131 respectively. The lower link of each oi the pairs128 and 129 has a lixed pivot as indicated at 132 and the upperlink ofeach pair is pivotally connected with the platen 125. This form of theinvention-is provided with side doors or displacing plates 34, 35, 36and 37 and with the end pressers 48 and 50 in the same manner as theform shown-in Fig. 1, and these parts are actuated in the same wayVexcept that -no safety valves are llO The operation of this form of theinvention is similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1 exceptthat the side and end pressures are not automatically removed. Gn thecontrary the supply of fluid pressure to the Vcylinders 39 and i9 mustbe mannally controlled to relieve these side and end pressures. rEhefinal compression in the direction of the top and bottom of the .baleinstead of being applied by the movement of the platen 125 is obtainedby downward movement of the upper platen 121, fluid under pressure beingsupplied to the cylinders 117 and 118 through the pipe 162. rl`hecylinder 111 `is supplied with fluid under pressure by the pipe 158. f

lt is obvious that if desired the end pressers 48 andl 50 might vbeomitted from this form of the invention and this modified arrangement isillustrated in Fig. 8, this being the same press illustrated anddescribed in my prior application 58,390, led October The differentsteps in the compression ofv the bale are illustrated in Figs. fl: to 11in elusive. Figs. il and 5 illustrate the bale in the form as placedinthe press. Figs. 6

and 7 illustrate the e aftern the side and.

end pressures have been applied. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the same baleafter the first compression in the direction of the top and bottom Whilethe side pressures are maintained, and Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate thebale after the final. compression and after.

it has been banded., this final compression having been applied afterthe side and end pressures have been released. f course if a press wereused in *which the end pressers were omitted as shoivn by Fig. 3 thenthe dimension a. of Fig. 5 would remain the same in the Figs. 7, 9 and11.- thertvise the bale would be compressed in the same vmanner as withthe press having the said end pressers.

Referring' the pivoted to Fig. l2 it will be seen that doors or platesfirst act upon the sides or the bale at the edges of the same and thepressure is applied to the sides of he bale progressively from the endedges tovvard the middle of the sides. lf the press is provided with theend pressers 48 and 50, then they move up and engage the ends of thebale thus cooperating with the side doors progressively to completelyre-assemble the cotton in the bale. ln applying the initial i ressure inthis Way in reforming the bale the .cotton is pushed toward the middleof the bale, as in the manner indicated at the points b in Fig. 12, andin this Way a greater uniformity of cotton and densitjv throughout thebale is secured.

Although the presses have been described in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the yspecificconstruction shown, nor to the particular combination illustrated. Forexample the means for progressively pressing a side of the bale from anedge toward the middle is apklicable to other formsof presses than thosedescribed.

Having `thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is: A

A-compress including in combination means for pressing the sides of'abale progressively from the edges toward the middle Without changing theshape of said sides and means for pressing the bale in agdirection atright angles to the rst mentioned pressing.

2. A compress including in combination means for compressing the sidesof a bale progressively from the edgesV tovvard the middle Withoutchanging the shape of said sides and means for simultaneouslycompressing the bale in a direction at right angles .to the firstmentioned pressure.

3. A compress. including in combination means for compressing theopposite sides of a bale progressively from the end edges to Ward themiddle, means for compressing the ends of the bale, and means forcompressing the remaining sides. f

il. A compress including in combination means .for compressing theopposite sides of a bale progressively from the end edges toward themiddle, ymeans for simultaneously compressing the tivo opposite ends ofthe bale and means for compressing the remaining sides or top and bottomof the bale.

5. A compress including means for compressing a pair of opposite sidesof a bale progressively from the end edges toward the middle Withoutchanging the shape ofk said sides.

6. A compress including in combination, means foi'- compressing a balein one direction, means for compressing the bale in a direction at rig tangles to the rst direction, and means for releasing said first pressingwhen the compression of the bale due to the second pressing reaches apredetermined amount.

'i'. A. compress including in combination means for compressing a balein one direction, means for compressing the bale in another directionWhile the first pressing is maintained, and automatic means forreleasing said first pressing when the compression ofthe bale reaches a.predetermined amount.

8. A lcompress including in combination, means for compressing a bale inone direction progressively from the edges toward the middle andmaintaining said pressing, means for compressing the bale in anotherdirection, and means for releasing said first pressing when thecompression of the bale reaches a predetermined amount.

9. A compress including in combination Y side ot Asaid bale.

means for compressing a bale in one direction from its edges toward themiddle Without changing the shape ol said sides including plates pivotedto swing about axes, each parallel to an adjacent edge of the bale.

1Q. A compress including in combinationv movable-platen,` means tormoving said platen te compress a baile in the directionV of its top andbottom, ay cylinder' having a piston reciprocablerin Va path atapproximately a right angle to the direction ofi movement of saidplaten, and means operated by said piston for pressing an end `and 11. Acompress including in combination a movable platen, means iioi movingsaid )laten a e flinderhavinff a )iston movable in a path at rightangles to the directionY ci? movement ot said platen, and vmeans.operated by said piston t'orj progressively pressing a bale in aVdirection at right angles to the path oit said piston and also in adirection parallel to said path. A

12; A compress including in combination a movable platen, means't'ormoving said platen, a cylinder having a piston movablev in a path atright angles tothe direction ot;

movement of said platen, and means opcrated by said piston for'compressing a' bale in a direction at right angles to the path et saidpiston progressively from an edge of the bale toward the middle. Y

13. A compress includingin combination,

means for compressinga-bale on its sidesV progressively -t'ronr the endedges toward the middle of said side, means ttor rcompressing the baleat right angles vto said tirst pressing, and automatic means forreleasing said first. pressing when the compression reaches apredetermined value.

14. A compress including in combination, means for compressing a bale inone'direction, and means for comcpressing the bale in another directioninclu ing Vpresser plates pivoted to swing about axes parallel'y to saidfirst direction. l f

15. A compress including in combination a movable platen, means formoving said platen, a cylinder vhaving a. piston reciprovin aV directionat right angles to the-.path oi in combination.

a movable platen, means for moving said platen, four parallel rodsvarranged at the corners 'of rectangle inclosingsaid platen,

a presser' plate Vpivoted on each rod to swing `to and from the platenand means for swinging theplates.

18. A compress including in combination,

a base,` a stationary top platen, four parallel` rods connecting saidplaten andbase, a bot-v tom platen movable toward the top platen meansfor moving said-bottom plat-en, a

presser plate pivoted on each rod to swing to and'ifrom the bottomplaten and means lor swinging said plates.

19. A compress including in combination, means for compressing a bale inone direc- .tion',i*our rods parallel to said directionar- :ranged atthe corners oi a rectangle, means for compressing the bale in a seconddirection at right angles to said first direction includingk a .platepivoted on each rod and means forv compressing the bale in adirectionVat right angles to said first and second directions.l 1 v In testimonyWhereot ailix my signature.

ROBT. D. WEBB`

